CLEANING

Cleaning

I know usually I'm writing about how to get dirty but today I want to tell you how to CLEAN up.
I'd love to hear your suggestions and recommendations.
Hugs, Z.

WHY SHOULD YOU CLEAN?

Cleaning up your world will make it easier to function. You'll find things. You won't waste money buying something you already have. You will be able to utilize all of your items. Having your living space clean and organize will bring you peace.

How to Begin:

1) Start small or start big... Choice is yours.  

A) Small: Take one place at a time and straighten it up. It's less daunting and will encourage more. 

Pick a meaningful space (Your bedroom, your bathroom cabinet, your refrigerator... chose something that affects you every single day)
Assess the space: What is it's purpose? How do you want to use it? Envision how to make the space of your dreams.
Empty the area
Clean the area
Only put things back into the space that should be there
Return other items back to where they should reside
Don't allow that space to return to chaos
Pick another space repeat process

B) Big ASSED Deep cleaning: Top to bottom cleaning (Yes for some of my Pretties you just went elsewhere come back we are CLEANING) Total cleaning gets it all done at once and easier to keep that way with maintenance.

Dust everything ceiling to floor. (This is not an advertisement but the swifter products is great because the long reach helps the vertically challenged... if appropriate ie: china, knick knocks might benefit from damp cloth wipe down)
Change all your bedding (wash and dry)
Wash all curtains (if washable consider hanging while wet because eliminates ironing) and blinds
Vacuum (empty it)
Mop (Again try wet jet so you aren't just pushing the dirt around)
Return items to where they go
Wash windows
Clean refrigerator (& make a shopping list)
Clean cabinets in kitchen (& oven)
Clean bathroom(s) (toilet, shower/tub, mirrors, vanity, sink)

Maintenance

Either you bite the bullet and did it all in one go or you did your living space bit by bit... Either way: GOOD JOB! Time to keep it this way.

Figure out what approach you want to take: 

One day a week 2-3 hours at a go or 30 minutes a day. Then divide up the chores in ways that are comfortable for you.

WEEKLY:

Dusting
Change all your bedding (wash and dry)
Vacuum
Mop
Clean cabinets in kitchen
Clean bathroom (drop the wet towels to the floor on a daily basis/or the day you wash them toss water on your floor and use the towels to scuff around the wet floor cleaning it without chemicals)
Pick an area to deep clean (clean it thoroughly)

MONTHLY:

Wash windows
Clean refrigerator
Pick a larger job (garage, attic, your closets, basement and tackle it)

EVERY 6 MONTHS:

Go through your closets: donate what you haven't wore, repair what needs to be fixed, consider uniform non-slip hangers (easily than picking stuff off the floor) This review will show you want you don't have and will help preventing you from purchasing the 11th black T-shirt.

Go through your house: donate what you haven't used and don't want, is there anything you can organize to lower your stress

Daily Reset:

Before you go to sleep at night reset your house. Meaning do a walk through. Put away the cup left on the end table. Put the papers in the recycle bin. Just put things where they are supposed to be before you turn off the light. It's a great habit to form. You'll LOVE yourself in the morning if you do it.

Side notes:

If you live with others involve them. I grant this is not easy but you will get what you settle for. It maybe a change in everyone's world but it's a chance for the better. Be consistent (& I know this is a lot of work but much less resentment then if you are doing it all yourself).

 An organized living space will bring peace and tranquility... a safe haven from the chaos of the world.

Ode to my Critique Partners/Betas

 Oh how I LOVE my critique parnters allow me to count the ways... ah, but we both know there are far too many so I write this blog.

Recently, I’ve had a discussion with a number of people on beta/critique partner issues. Soooooo here’s my two cents/1 euro worth on the subject and ask in return for yours.

First, what’s the difference between a beta & critique partner:

Most people use the words interchangeably. I use critique partners because I need far more than what the traditional beta is tasked to give.

My definition of a beta reader: focuses on grammar and makes notes of huge issues while a critique partner: is living with the characters, making sure the content, action, dialogue and characters is consistent with the story.  In other words, the critique partners are up your ass if you stray from where you should be. They have no qualms about calling you on your issues that bleed onto the page and they offer specific suggestions for some of the problems they point out.

Recommendations from the lovely crit/beta:

      1) Comments=Love… I know many people don’t see it this way but this lovely critique partner/beta has taken time out of their own lives to HELP you not to ramble about how great you are. They shred your precious story with love so you won’t be beaten up publicly.

      2) The author trusted this individual with their work. Assess the comment.

           a) is the comment valid >>> if so address it

           b) maybe you meant the reader to come away with that opinion>>> if so don’t change it but sometimes the pretty in our head doesn’t make it onto the page you might address it or flesh the concept out so it’s clarified.

           c) the beta/critique partner points out something but you’ve addressed it… Look again. Maybe a reader would have the same issue so enhance how you addressed it so what you’re trying to get across does.

Feedback:

1)  Being clear doesn’t mean snarky.

2)  A critique partner/beta shouldn’t get annoyed with an author if the same issue happens in Chapter 1 & 3 happens again in 10 & 14… the author didn’t know it was an issue. 

3)  Use WORD and insert comments and turn on your track changes.

4)  Each person will have a different perspective and different things will surface from reading the work. Understand & notify the author if you have ‘issues’ (I recently critiqued a story with lots of medical drama in it and I had to let the author know I have major anxiety around medical issues so I wanted her to put my comments through that filter….)

5)  If some of your suggestions aren’t utilized don’t feel betrayed there could be any number of reasons for this to be the case. The author may have changed something else in the story that counterbalanced/addressed your comment. Or the author wanted a character not to handle something properly because it is meant to haunt him in the future.

6)  Let the author know some positives as well: LOL, Snort, LOVE THIS, etc. go a long way in helping the author not feel chewed up and for us to know if something’s working as we’d hope. (The joke was funny)

Time Frame:

1)  Discuss a time frame. They have a life. Be realistic. Usually 2-3 weeks though some people turn things around in 3 days… As an author & as a critique partner I find the extra time allows me to live with the characters, which helps me see things I didn’t see before. ((Sometimes there are emergencies and the time frame is NEED IT YESTERDAY. It happens I won’t judge but this should happen only once in a great while))

2)  The critique partner/beta should let the author know if they need longer to complete the book or if they won’t be able to do it at all. Crits/Betas shouldn’t avoid the author just talk to them. ((It happens.))

3)  Giving the author updates helps. (I’m on chapter 8 and I’m going to kill the main character… I’m almost done I’m stealing both characters…)

Appreciation:

A simple thank you is important. Even if it wasn’t as helpful as you’d hoped they took their time and devoted it to you. (When I do this it takes me about 1hr per 7-10pages… I’m thorough & many people who do it are that careful as well). Sometimes, I send something small via the Internet to say thank you. If it’s another writer I return the critique partner favor for them (& get all up in their business). Just for the love of Buddha let the person who took time to assist you making your characters shine know you appreciate them.

Expectations:

The author should share their expectations. What is it you want your book to convey? Giving the beta/crit partner general themes and your purpose with help give them focus so your point gets across to the readers.

What are your thoughts on this subject my Pretties? Let me know.

Hugs, Z.

How Can You Fight Homophobia and Transphobia?

How can you fight homophobia and transphobia? 

That’s what this blog hop is all about! The lovely group of writers: Erica Pike, K-lee Klein, NJ Nielsen, Cherie Noel, Embry Carlysle, Zathyn Priest and Sasha L Miller want us to come together as a group to promote equality.

Pretties:

In honor of May 17th (International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia) I wanted to share with you an experience I had at my PFLAG group. A mother came to our meeting last month completely overwhelmed. “Yesterday my daughter told me she’s transgender. What does that mean?”

I spoke with her a little after the meeting to let her know I thought she was great for reaching out to find answers. When we parted company, she was still mourning the loss of her daughter but she knew people had her back. She left the meeting with more questions than answers but said she’d try to return.

At our next meeting, she joined us with her teenaged child. She no longer lamented the loss of her daughter but was beginning to celebrate her son.

Her son was stunned when Eden Winters told him about the romances we have in our PFLAG library. (I want to take the opportunity to give a huge HUG and thank you to all the writers and publishers who were generous enough to donate books). The kid was shocked. “There are books about people like ME?”

More than once I’ve sung your praises my Pretty ones. I brag to everyone about the amazing community of readers, writers, reviewers and publishers of LGBTQIA romances.  People who believe love is love and advocate for everyone to have a happily ever after. I wax poetic about all the incredible individuals who promote equality through writing, reading and publishing LGBTQIA romances. People who teach children to love and accept instead of hate. Your words and actions influence and change the world around you. You fight, vote and march for equality.

So how can you fight homophobia and transphobia?

*Continue doing what you’re doing (& do more of the same)

*Vote for candidates who support LGBTQIA issues

*Vote with your dollars for LGBTQIA friendly businesses

*Speak up if someone says something offensive to the LGBTQIA community

*Stay aware of the news it affects all of us

*Educate through your own actions, words and social media

*Wear a supportive LGBTQIA items (rainbow bracelet, T-shirt, etc.)

*Join a PFLAG or Rainbow Support group

* Be there for someone who is confused & reassure him or her

Your turn Pretties! How can we fight homophobia and transphobia? What are your suggestions? Leave a comment and I will put your name in to win an e-book copy of Made in China: The Great Wall or Club Zombie 2: Zombies Suck.  Together we are changing the world one page at a time.

Hugs, Z. Allora

Here's a link to the Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia check it out  after you leave your suggestions:    https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fhopagainsthomophobia.blogspot.com%2F&h=zAQEXIYSf

 

Flash Slash Fiction Captain America/Winter Soldier

Pretties:
When I'm bored I have a habit of slashing (putting two males in a movie/tv show together and everything that's they say shuffles through the love filter). I was recently at the movies and I simply couldn't help myself. Here's a little slash fiction for Captain America.
Enjoy. Remember I don't owe these characters or this story... this is just for fun...  (Nor do I owe this lovely pic if anyone knows the artists PLEASE tell me so I can give credit & love & beg for permission to use) 
Hugs, Z.

Slash Fiction Captain America/Winter Soldier

"Bucky... don't you remember? I was your best friend..." Captain America took another punch in the mouth. Ow.

"You're my mission." Anger tried to overwhelm the doubt but it failed to block out the confusion. No...

"I'm Steve and we were more than friends..."

The Winter Soldier's fist froze, stopping before he connected again. "What? No... we... no..." Hot visions of passionate nights spend with Steve's arms flashed through his mind. Urgent need to recapture those emotions and memories flooded him.

"Yes. Don't you remember?" Steve turned him so Bucky was under him. "Mmmm, that's right. You might not remember but your body does."

Breathing became a luxury Bucky could no longer afford. He used his energy to push back to entice Steve into take things further. Steve always gave him what he wanted...

The Winter Soldier sweetly surrendered himself to Steve's skilled hands as his memories returned. He was Bucky and they would always be more than friends...

Hugs, Z.

Zombies Suck.... but mine SWALLOW

How are my zombies different from other zombies?

1) Mine SWALLOW…
2)They're hot and sexy.
3)They don't need brains to survive they need ejaculate.
4) They’re seeking a mate which they can tell by their reaction to their male essence.
5) They begin their transition at nineteen and it continues until they are twenty-three.
6) They stop aging at twenty-three.
7) If they don't find their mate by twenty-three they lose the ability to orgasm. (Although they continue to need male essence).

What is Club Zombie?

Club Zombie was set up so the zombies could get what they need in a safe environment… the patrons of Club Zombie don’t question how “lucky” they get when finding such orally fixated men. There are various ways in which to indulge in the pleasing young men of Club Zombie:
The Shoe Shine Room (depicted on the cover of Zombies Ahead) 
Extraction Room  (depicted on the cover of Zombies Suck)
BJ alley  (do you need a description?)
BDSM Behind the Red Door  (ditto)
These rooms and cozy spaces allow the zombies to survive.

http://www.stiffrainpress.com/m8/23-978-1-62344-024-4--zombies-suck-club-zombie-series-book-two-by-z-allora.html

Afraid To Orgasm

Afraid To Orgasm

Usually I chase fluffy HAPPY plot bunnies. In Club Zombie 2 a virgin dominant afraid to orgasm wouldn't leave me. You can’t imagine my distress when Alex Waterman shared with me his full story and how he detached from his own sexuality to such an unthinkable degree.

His abusive childhood taught him sex was evil. His mother beat into him ‘good boys’ don’t pleasure themselves and he desperately wanted her approval. He broke my heart.

Even though his mother is dead, it takes therapy, help from his friends and loved ones to help him overcome his painful past. His struggle is so invasive he only refers to his body parts in clinical terms because he can’t process slang words.

Many of us struggle daily with varying degrees of sexual dysfunction. The biggest help I found is giving yourself permission. So be good to you and give yourself permission.

                                                                    Zombies Suck

Zombies Suck... and mine SWALLOW

Zombies Suck... and mine SWALLOW. 

Zombies aren’t scary, undead corpses searching for brains. They are just sweet guys seeking male essence to survive. At twenty-three the transition completes, keeping them forever young—as long as they receive male ejaculate. Club Zombie offers a haven for zombies, providing sexy ways to extract what they need from the patrons, and opportunity to find their destined mate.

Alex Waterman learned from an early age to believe he was vile, and to feel ashamed of his “unnatural desires”. His life is a desolate place of suffering until he discovers… it’s not his life. Suddenly he’s swept away to Club Zombie, where he belongs. In this world, his desires aren’t evil, they’re a mark of the dominant he’s born to be, and instead of fear and loathing, he receives appreciative stares and aggressive flirting. But casual sex isn’t on the menu: Alex seeks “the one” to complete the piece of his soul he never knew he was missing until he looked for it.

Roommate Ulrich calls to Alex, a self-destructive Cutter who needs grounding, and an element of irresistible danger that clings to bad boy Storm. Alex must decide between three tempting possibilities, but which one will fill his void? Maybe he should keep them all… Only, how is a dominant, orgasm-fearing virgin going to manage three virile men?

http://www.stiffrainpress.com/m8/23-978-1-62344-024-4--zombies-suck-club-zombie-series-book-two-by-z-allora.html